Image Formation Device Correction Pattern Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image formation devices face inefficiencies due to the need for extensive correction pattern formation and measurement along the entire length of the belt, which increases processing time and delays the start of image formation, especially when the belt length exceeds the paper length.

Innovation Solution

An image formation device that forms a correction pattern only in the area corresponding to the image formation area on the recording medium, measures the pattern, and corrects the image formation position based on the measurement, thereby reducing processing time and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a correction pattern is formed along the entire length of the belt, then displacement measurement accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement measurement accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The belt surface is divided into a measurement area and a non-measurement area. The correction pattern is formed only in the measurement area, which is a segment of the entire belt surface. This segmentation allows the system to obtain sufficient displacement measurement data without processing the entire belt length, thus reducing processing time while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement function is extracted from the entire belt and concentrated in a specific measurement area. By taking out only the necessary portion (the measurement area) for displacement correction, the system eliminates the need to form and measure correction patterns across the full belt length, significantly reducing processing time while preserving the essential measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If a correction pattern is formed over a large area, then measurement coverage is improved, but device productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoiddevice productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The belt surface is segmented into measurement and non-measurement areas. The correction pattern formation is restricted to the measurement area, which provides sufficient coverage for accurate displacement measurement without requiring the entire belt surface. This segmentation maintains measurement coverage while enabling faster pattern formation and measurement, thus improving device productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of forming correction patterns across the entire belt surface (excessive action), the system forms patterns only in the necessary measurement area (partial action). This partial action approach provides adequate measurement coverage for displacement correction while significantly reducing the time required for pattern formation and measurement, thereby improving overall device productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If the correction pattern formation and measurement is executed immediately before print operation, then image quality is ensured, but waiting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The correction pattern formation and measurement process is segmented to occur only in the measurement area rather than the entire belt. This segmentation reduces the total time required for correction pattern formation and measurement, thereby reducing waiting time before the print operation while still ensuring adequate measurement coverage to maintain image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs correction pattern formation and measurement only in the necessary measurement area (partial action) rather than the entire belt surface. This partial action approach provides sufficient measurement data to ensure image quality while significantly reducing the waiting time before the print operation can commence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2093620B1Image formation device and method
Publication Date: 2012.02.22 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2093620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2093620B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2093620B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an image formation device, comprising: an image forming unit configured to execute image formation to form an image on a recording medium; a holding body configured to move relatively with respect to the image forming unit and to hold an image formed thereon by the image forming unit; a controller that controls the image forming unit to form a correction pattern in an area on the holding body, the area being the same image formation area defined on the recording medium whereon the image formation is executed for the recording medium; a measurement unit configured to measure a position of the correction pattern formed on the holding body; and a correction unit configured to correct an image formation position of the image formation unit based on a measurement result of the measurement unit.